After formulating several major national policies of immigrating to real counties and increasing revenue and reducing expenditure, Chu's strategy for the next three or even six years has basically taken shape.
If there are no major external factors in the future, Lu Yuan will basically not change national policies.
However, it is now the end of the year, and the sixth year of Shenwu is about to pass. Even if a national policy is formulated, it can only be implemented slowly after the spring of next year.
Therefore, Lu Yuan only communicated with Cui Changqing and other directors of the three provinces and six ministries, clarified the specific policies with each other, and then asked those ministers to go back first to start preliminary preparations.
As for the rest, I can't take care of it for the time being.
After the winter solstice, it will soon be the twelfth lunar month, and the weather in Chu State is getting colder and colder.
Since entering the twelfth lunar month, this day has become more and more abnormal and terrifying.
First came the cold wind, then the heavy snow, then the cold rain, and then even the wind, snow and rain, as if they would not give up until they destroyed all living things in the world.
The wilderness on both sides of the Yangtze River is covered with vast white patches of snow everywhere, covered with a thick layer of snow that can even reach people’s knees at high altitudes.
The cold wind was blowing in the north, and heavy snow was flying. The world seemed to be silent under this coldness.
The streets were sparsely populated. Even with the prosperity of Baling City, there were not many people on the streets at this time.
The terrible cold wave, wind and snow caused countless people to huddle at home, huddled next to quilts and fires to resist the boundless coldness.
Seeing this situation, Lu Yuan sent orders to his supervisor to inspect every corner of the city and check all the streets and alleys. If it was found that people's houses had been crushed by the snow and they had no place to live, the government would immediately provide relief.
Don't even say it.
After the officials and soldiers who were ordered by the king patrolled the city, they found dozens of houses with crushed houses. Hundreds of people froze to death as a result. The remaining hundreds of people dispersed to nearby houses and gathered together. Struggling to survive together.
Lu Yuan couldn't help but take it seriously after receiving the reward.
So he ordered his disciple Zhuang Hua to lead his soldiers and horses to assist the government and common people in the city to clear the snow and at the same time rescue the people affected by the disaster.
The other party is now Zhijinwu, a member of the ninth rank, in charge of four thousand Zhijinwei in the city, and responsible for the security of the city.
These four thousand people, plus the officials in the city, are enough to cope with this snow disaster.
It's just that in Baling City, at the foot of the emperor, the snow disaster here is easy to solve.
But in other counties and counties in the Chu State, as well as in the villages and towns below the counties, it was a bit difficult for the people there to survive the snowstorm.
"This is after a major disaster. Tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of people in the country may be killed or injured. With the wind and snow, everything withers away. This natural disaster is beyond our ability to prevent."
Lu Yuan climbed up to the high building of the palace city and overlooked the entire Baling City. Looking at the vast expanse of white, he couldn't help but sigh.
Today, the temperature between heaven and earth, when it is extremely cold, has reached minus ten degrees.
This kind of coldness cannot last long in the wild with his current cultivation as an innate master and an immortal. It is even more difficult for the local people who have nothing to rely on and can only rely on thatched houses.
If the house is strong, not afraid of being damaged by wind and snow, and if a large amount of firewood is stored, it can barely withstand the cold wave.
But if there is insufficient preparation, the house is not strong enough, and the firewood is not enough, then the wind and snow are enough to kill people.
“I don’t know if this world also has a so-called glacial climate.
In recent years, the weather has become colder every day, and the winter wind and snow have become stronger every year.
I remember that when I first crossed over, in this land south of the Yangtze River, although there was wind and snow in winter, the wind and snow were not heavy. When it was the coldest, the heavy snow only just covered my feet.
Even in Lingnan, there is no snow in winter.
But in the past two years, I heard that there was also a continuous snowfall in Nanhai City.
The weather is so abnormal that I wouldn't believe it if it wasn't a glacier coming. "
Looking at the falling snow in the sky, Lu Yuan stretched out his hand to catch a snowflake. Feeling the cold touch on his fingertips, he couldn't help but feel a little worried in his heart.
If a glacial climate really comes, it will definitely be a disaster for all the people in the nine states and ten regions.
The land of Yangzhou in the south of the Yangtze River is not bad. It is located in the south. Although it is also affected by the cold wave, it is more or less acceptable.
But in the northern states, close to Beiming, it is already cold. If we are affected by this cold wave again now, I am afraid that most of the people, horses and livestock will freeze to death.
In particular, the northern grasslands, western Gobi, snowy plateaus, mysterious snow forests and other areas that are already frozen all year round will suffer a great loss in strength under this cold wave.
After suffering losses and being driven by the cold wave, these regional forces who instinctively moved closer to warmer areas may have gone crazy and migrated desperately towards the rich and warm land of Kyushu.
“Especially those plateau Tibetan people on the snowy plateau.
They were originally affected by floods in the early autumn of this year, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries to their cattle and sheep.
Now affected by the snowstorm, the already difficult days may be even worse.
It is estimated that one-fifth or even one-third of the population of the Tibetan tribe on the plateau may freeze to death. And most of the cattle, sheep and livestock may freeze to death.
At that time, the Tibetan people who could not survive without their cattle and sheep could only choose to go down the plateau and look for compensation in the nearby wealthy Hexi and Longxi counties of Zhou State, as well as the Xiliang Kingdom, which was also located on the western border of Yongzhou.
In the land of Yongzhou, the war will continue in the next few years or even ten years. "
At this time, Lu Yuan couldn't help but think of the snowy plateau that was close to Chu State, or even bordering Chu State.
The snow-covered plateau covers a vast area, and the area is no smaller than the entire Yangzhou, and may even be several times larger.
Anyway, from ancient times to the present, few people can clearly define the territory of the Snowy Plateau.
It's just that although this snowy area is large, there are not many areas suitable for human survival.
Most of the habitable areas are concentrated on the Qinghai Plateau near Yongzhou.
Qinghai is the largest lake on the snow-covered plateau. It is said that its area is large enough to be equal to several Dongting Lakes. It is a first-class place with rich water and grass.
Not only can cattle and sheep be grazed, but food can also be cultivated.
Millions of plateau Tibetan people rely on this fertile soil to survive.
In addition to Qinghai Lake, there are dozens of other lakes of varying sizes on the plateau, as well as dozens of large rivers, which also feed many Tibetan people.
However, most of these rivers and lakes are distributed in the north and west of the plateau. There are no large lakes or rivers in the east and south of the plateau adjacent to Chu State.
Although there are some Tibetan tribes in Xichuan County and the adjacent plateau areas of the southwestern barbarians, they are all small tribes with thousands or tens of thousands of people, and they are not a climate at all.
On weekdays, these Tibetan tribes just stayed on the plateau, and occasionally took their horses down the mountain to trade with Xichuan County and the Yi people. They basically did not dare to cause trouble.
Therefore, Lu Yuan, who had already occupied Xichuan County, did not have to worry about being invaded by the Tibetan people like Zhou did.
This is also a great blessing.
Otherwise, if he had to face the Tibetan people, he would have a headache and even feel sick just thinking about it.
Although no one has done statistics on the Tibetan people on the plateau, the snow-covered plateau is several times the area of Yangzhou and there are countless lakes and rivers.
Even though a large area on the plateau is unfit for survival, based on some information collected by Lu Yuan and historical records, it is estimated that there are at least tens of millions of Tibetan people on the plateau.
With tens of millions of Tibetan people and the area of several large states, this was enough to become the foundation of an empire.
That is to say, because the plateau is too large and the lakes and rivers suitable for settlement are too scattered, it is too difficult for the Tibetan people on the snowy plateau to unify, so difficult that it is almost impossible.
Otherwise, when this force is gathered together, the strength it can exert is enough to shock the world.
But even if they are unable to gather and unite, with the existing strength of the Tibetan people on the plateau, even if they just instinctively launch plunder and invasion against Zhou and Xiliang, it will be enough to make these two great Yongzhou countries suffer.
Especially Xiliang Kingdom, although it occupies three counties, the land in the west of Yongzhou is just like the southwest barbarian areas that Lu Yuan is conquering. It is close to many foreign lands and has always been barren.
According to rumors and ancient records, the three counties of Xiliang are not as good as the barbarians in the southwest. Not only do they have very little land suitable for cultivation, they cannot support too many people.
It is also surrounded by many foreign tribes such as Fan, Di, Hu, Qiang, etc. There is also a Zhou Kingdom to the east that is eyeing it, which puts great pressure on survival.
Therefore, although the special environment has made the Xiliang Kingdom strong in force, its national strength is actually not strong.
The three counties in the country combined had a population of three to four million. Although the policy of half farmers and half soldiers supported an army of four to five million, it could not last long.
“If this war caused by the cold wave can end in two or three years, that’s it.
If it drags on for five or six years, or even longer, the Xiliang Kingdom's national strength will definitely not be able to support it.
Although the Tibetan people on the snow-covered plateau are scattered in strength, more than ten million Tibetan people can gather together and dispatch millions of troops. Moreover, there are many powerful people among the Tibetan people, and there are definitely more than ten people who are above the level of innate master.
With this power, even if the Zhou Kingdom were to confront him, they would be frightened and go all out.
Let alone destroying a Xiliang country. "
Lu Yuan thought of the news that the Imperial City Foreign Affairs Bureau had returned from the Yongzhou area in the past few days.
Since the massive floods occurred on the snowy plateau a few months ago.
The Tibetan people on the plateau were united by twenty-seven tribes, large and small, and gathered half a million soldiers and horses, among whom there were three innate masters.
This force went down the mountain to plunder the two prefectures and counties, which was simply not something that the local Zhou state border troops could resist.
After the Tibetan people came down the mountain in large numbers, many counties in Hexi and Longxi counties of Zhou State were captured in an instant. Especially Hexi County, half of the county was lost directly, and even the county town was surrounded by the Tibetan people.
In just a few days, the western border of the Zhou Kingdom was filled with flames of war, and the two counties of Hexi and Longxi seemed to be in danger of falling.
And if these two counties are lost, then the door to the western border of Zhou Kingdom will be suddenly opened. Those Tibetan people who came down the mountain could directly attack Guannei County.
Guannei County is the capital of Zhou State. In terms of its status, it is equivalent to Dongting County of Chu State and Linhai County of Ning State. It is the real foundation and core.
How could it be possible to let the enemy in on such a huge area?
Therefore, Hexi and Longxi counties must not make any mistakes.
After the news of the Tibetan people coming down the mountain was sent back to the Zhou capital, Emperor Zhou immediately ordered the formation of a Pingxi army.
With Sima Zhengde, the general of the West Zhu State of the Zhou State as commander, and the two generals of the Zhu State on the left and right as deputy commanders, they led 200,000 soldiers and horses to march west to Longxi and Hexi counties to rebel against the Tibetan people.
In addition, the Zhou State also successively mobilized garrison troops and horses from various counties and continuously gathered them in the Pingxi military camp to conquer the Tibetan people.
Obviously, even Lu Yuan, who was thousands of miles away, could realize the terror of those Tibetan tribes.
The Zhou State was close to the Tibetan people and was harassed by them every year. Naturally, they know the other party’s strength better.
Now the Tibetan people raging in Hexi and Longxi counties seem to be very powerful.
But in fact, compared to the Fang tribe on the entire plateau, it was only a small number.
Far from being called the main force.
At this time, if they don't use all their strength and strike hard, they will beat back the various tribesmen who came down the mountain.
Then after they take advantage and achieve victory, the news will be spread back to the plateau, which may make more Tibetan tribes above think that Zhou is a soft persimmon and can come to take advantage.
If that is the case, then when countless Tibetan tribes swarm in, and millions of Tibetan armies are overwhelming, facing this terrifying force, even if the Zhou Kingdom can withstand it, after this battle, its vitality will be severely damaged.
By then, the losses will be so heavy that the surrounding countries will see it. Who can resist taking a bite?
I am afraid that by then, Zhou will be directly destroyed.
In order to prevent this kind of thing from happening, Zhou Guo naturally had to strike hard at this time and beat the Tibetan people in one go.
They were killed with extremely strong force, their heads were rolling, and they were so frightened that they never dared to provoke Zhou Guo again.
Only in this way can the western border of the Zhou Kingdom enjoy long-term peace and stability.
"The news is that in early September, Zhou Guoping's army arrived in Longxi County.
In the same month, Sima Zhengde, the general of Zhou Xizhu State, led his army to defeat the Tibetan army in Longxi County, killing 100,000 enemies and capturing more than 100,000 enemies.
Then the Pingxi army continued to advance westward, defeating two groups of Tibetan armies one after another, annihilating another 200,000 enemies, and relieving the siege of Hexi County.
However, during the three major victories, although a large number of Tibetan people were wiped out, not a single Xiantian Grandmaster among the Tibetan people was killed.
This is normal, after all, not everyone has my strength and can easily kill the innate master.
But this kind of victory that only removes its wings but does not decapitate the enemy cannot completely eliminate the enemy.
The few Tibetan Xiantians who had defeated the army fled back to the plateau tribes and gathered more than 200,000 soldiers and horses again.
At the same time, he used the money and grain collected from Longxi and Hexi counties to contact and bribe a large number of Tibetan tribes, and invited them to send troops together to attack the two western counties of Zhou State again.
After floods and snowstorms, there are countless tribes of Tibetan people who cannot survive on the plateau.
Many people simply accepted the invitation in order to survive.
Now the Tibetan people have gathered more than 600,000 troops, and the number of Xiantian Grandmasters has increased to six.
Although due to heavy snow, these Tibetan people are temporarily unable to send troops.
But when the snow melts in spring, it can be foreseen that a war in the western border of Zhou Kingdom will be inevitable. "
When Lu Yuan thought of this, a smile appeared on his face.
Those Tibetan people went down the mountain in order to survive.
Under the flood and snow disaster, without their cattle and sheep, they had no choice but to rob Zhou people if they wanted to survive.
This is a battle of survival that involves either grabbing or dying. It cannot be solved by how many Tibetan people the Zhou Kingdom killed or how many battles it won.
As long as the snowstorm does not stop, those Tibetan people will have to go south to grab food every winter.
This kind of large-scale food war is fine for one or two years or two.
If it is like this every year and is invaded by dozens or millions of Tibetan people every year, no matter how powerful the Zhou Kingdom is and how advanced its background is, it will not be able to bear it.
"It doesn't need to be long. This kind of snow disaster war will only last three to five years. The Zhou Kingdom will be continuously bleeding and its strength will be greatly reduced.
At that time, all the power and resources from various parts of the Zhou Kingdom will be concentrated and sent to the Western Region to support the war, and the local defense forces will naturally become weaker.
At that time, our army in Chu had also been renovated, the three armies were fully prepared, there were enough armor and soldiers, and there was plenty of food and fodder.
At that time, only one general is needed to lead one hundred thousand elite troops, and Hanzhong can be captured easily, completely filling the defense gap in the northwest of Daxi. "
Lu Yuan was thinking in his mind.
He has been coveting Hanzhong County for a long time and is bound to get it.
To the west of this county is Xiangyang County of Chu State. To the south is Xichuan County of Chu State.
Relying on this county, Zhou State could move down the river to the west and threaten Xiangyang. To the south, you can be condescending and threaten Xichuan.
In order to guard against the Zhou army in Hanzhong County, Lu Yuan had to station 40,000 forbidden troops at Jianmen Pass, north of Xichuan. In Xicheng Mansion, west of Xiangyang, 20,000 forbidden troops were stationed.
In addition, the Chu State in Xiangyang and Xichuan each prepared 20,000 forbidden troops and 10,000 county soldiers, ready to support the Hanzhong front line and resist the Zhou invasion.
In total, there were more than 100,000 troops and horses, and they were held back by Hanzhong County of Zhou State, unable to move.
For such a thorn in his side and a thorn in his flesh, Lu Yuan naturally hated him very much. He thought about taking this county back to solve the border defense worries on the northwest border of Chu State.
As long as this county is captured, the Chu State can build a northern defense line here. Relying on the poor mountains and mountains of Hanzhong County, a small number of soldiers and horses can be used to guard the pass and block the threat from the north.
The soldiers and horses in Xichuan and Xiangyang counties can also be freed up to deal with the pressure from surrounding countries.
At the same time, with Hanzhong County, Xichuan and Xiangyang counties can be connected. Relying on the Han River, the three counties can circulate goods, vigorously develop people's livelihood, and increase tax revenue.
Not to mention, taking Hanzhong will also gain access to five thousand miles of mountains and rivers and millions of people, which will further increase the national power of Chu.
There are so many benefits, so Lu Yuan is naturally worried about it.
Therefore, after learning the details of the war between the Tibetan people and the Zhou State in the Snowy Plateau, he ordered the spies from the Imperial City's Foreign Affairs Department to immediately send additional manpower to the Hexi and Longxi counties of the Zhou State to conduct in-depth arrangements in order to learn in time. local conditions.
In this way, when the strength of the Zhou Kingdom drops greatly in the future and it gradually becomes unsustainable, the Chu Kingdom can make early preparations and lay the foundation for the Northern Expedition to Hanzhong.
However, with Zhou's strength, even if it faced a large-scale invasion by the Tibetan people, there would be no problems in a short period of time and it would definitely be able to withstand it.
Therefore, we can only pay attention to this matter temporarily, and Chu State can't do anything yet.
Just right.
Now that Lu Yuan has decided on the general direction of recuperation, he can use this time to prepare for the future Northern Expedition.
Hanzhong County should be placed in Zhou Kingdom first.
When the opportunity is right, Chu will take it away.
